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etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
etrayamods) wrote in etrayamemes2025-05-30 09:20 am
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TDM 008
content warnings for this TDM include: gambling references, mild horror themes and suggestive content  ⏵ arrival⏴ Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. Newcomers generally find themselves waking up within the hospital, are given a brief overview of their situation, and sent on their way. Now? They wake up immersed in a game within The Gold Saucer. But it doesn't quite feel like a game: whether it's snowy mountains, riding a chocobo as you listened to the wind quickly pass by your ears, or in the middle of a battle with a beast, it feels utterly real. It's only after the game concludes - either by winning or losing - that you find yourself back in the main game area. A bot, dressed as personnel in this lavish playground, approaches each arrival with an earpiece allowing them to communicate with those in their same situation. It also serves to inform them of their goal: collect enough gold saucer points (or GP) by playing the games to acquire a card fashioned to their own likeness from the game counter. Then, they must trade it for someone else's. Seems simple enough, right? Hopefully the cards aren't too expensive...  ⏵ the gold saucer ⏴ The Gold Saucer is an ode to the very idea of fun. It’s huge, labyrinthine, colorful, and lively. Everywhere you look, there’s something to do. At the same time, it’s also impossible to tell what time it is. There are no windows to the outside, there are no clocks. This place is beyond such a thing. There are games everywhere you look, ranging from the pseudo-gambling to sports to pixelated video games in cabinets. Yet no matter which boxing game, pinball machine, or skeeball machine you look at, the same creatures and themes arrive. Cactuars, chocobos, the fiercest Behemoth, the cuddliest Moogle… For those from the realms of Final Fantasy, this will feel natural- homey even. Everyone else will simply understand that there is a fairly strong central theme here about magic, machines, and monsters. It’s hard to tell how long you spend here, and it seems to sit outside of the very concept of time. Still, there are many restaurants, lounges, and vending machines. There are shops and costume rentals. There are even little pharmacies with headache remedies if the partying gets out of hand. And when you grow tired, there is a hotel- though it is made up like a haunted house, you can count on getting some semi-restful sleep.  ⏵ playtime ⏴ At first, stepping through to play any of these games may make participants wonder if they have been teleported somewhere else entirely. But on closer inspection, all the skies above are merely well-constructed interiors with painted ceilings. After all, it always seems to be daytime during these games. Snowboarding - Race to the bottom of the mountain, but avoid obstacles and complete as many tricks as possible! Chocobo Racing- Race on Chocobo-back around a treacherous outdoors race track which can either be taking place in a desert, a swampy forest, or upon an island beach. Work in tandem with your rented bird and against your competition by throwing hazards in their way or utilizing buffs garnered on the track. Different colored birds will yield different advantages. Yellow - Good All Rounder Red - Fast, but hard to steer Blue - Slower, but very easy to steer. Much easier to pick up items from them. Green- Resilient against traps and sabotage Colosseum Battle- Face off against the fiercest beasts around. Pair up with friends or rivals to Collaborate or Compete to do the most damage and deliver the final blow. These battles are synced to the comparative power of the one entering the competition. We wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt unnecessarily, after all. And indeed, no one will get seriously, gruesomely, or permanently injured in these battles. Those without fighting capabilities can rent weapons outfitted Materia to assist them in their trial. These will allow anyone to cast spells, though not guarantee any better wielding of weapons. There are a hundred rounds, starting with fairly simple Spriggans, ranging all the way up to blood-thirsty Behemoths to challenge even the most battle-hardened hero. Leap of Faith- Players are presented with an obstacle course that stretches a hundred feet into the air upon floating platforms and islands. Both are held aloft by magical crystals. Powers are entirely nerfed, though falling and hitting the ground is strangely painless. Those who collect the most silver and gold statuettes of cactuars placed at random throughout the course will be awarded proportionate GP; though there is a bonus for those that reach the very top first. Triple Triad- Everywhere you look, people are playing this game on little 3 by 3 boards, or any surface with enough space. You will be given a loaner deck to play with. Are you clever enough to defeat your fellows. Fashion Report- Theobold, familiar to some, stands by himself in a little booth with a dressing room and an incredibly expansive walk-in closet. He is a robot of distinguished fashion and strong opinions on those fashions. Do you dare subject yourself to his scrutiny? Come prepare in his wondrous closets to make the best outfit for the chance to win a prize. Please submit your fashion here! There are Arcade Machines and activities galore. If you can think of it, it’s probably there- Just with that Final Fantasy pastiche on it, of course.  ⏵ the beehive lounge ⏴ There are other places to eat at the Gold Saucer, but the vending machines and cafés all pale in comparison to the dinners at the Beehive. For all the rave reviews, there is a dress code at the Beehive, and this is literal. If you step inside and are not currently wearing a dress, you will be ushered into a sideroom and appropriately made over. However, this is only for those trying to go in through the normal doors. Around the side there happens to be an employee entrance, manned by a bot. He will only allow those in who seem like they intend to work— and therefore must be wearing at least one piece of the Bunnysuit Collection to trick the guard. Once you are made over or have snuck in, you are free to relax inside with drinks, dine on a fine meal, watch the dancers, or participate yourself if you feel brave enough. Why would anyone ever dance here? Well, that’s simple. It pays really well. So if you’re sick of games, or terrible at them— you can always come dance for a shift. Though, don't get any unseemly ideas about freeing yourself of your clothing, this isn't that kind of establishment!  ⏵ haunted house ⏴ When you grow too weary or drunk from a day of games, you may be directed to somewhere a little quieter to sleep. Up the elevator, and through the doors reveals a modest walk through some woods until a quaint, victorian hotel appears. It is always nighttime here, and the stars and moon twinkle above. The receptionist, a bot in a rather bedraggled-looking chocobo mascot costume checks you in and shows you to your room. You can sleep here, especially if you can tolerate the hokey haunted decorations strung up around the place. Though sometimes, late at night, there will come a vigorous thumping on the door to startle sleeping patrons awake- Only for the culprit to vanish and be impossible to locate.  ⏵ ticket counter ⏴ The prize counter is manned by a bot and has a sign posted overhead. Most prizes will be handed over inside an appropriately sized wrapped box, as the contents are a mystery.
This TDM may be treated as a mini-Mission. Time will not pass inside of it in relation to the world outside - meaning, this can be happening at any time between late May into early July! This Gold Saucer is a bit of a mix between that of FF7's and FF14's, but it also has some things that neither have as well. Any inaccuracies are entirely intentional, aimed to make this rest within a space of uncanny valley for those who are familiar. While otherwise being a bit of a chaotic fantastical funhouse for everyone else! If there is something unlisted, chances are it will exist if it is in either of the other versions of the Gold Saucer. Characters already in game are welcome to post to the TDM, too! Please mark them as current characters in your header. Threads can be kept as game canon as long as both characters get into the game! Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment! |
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Gorgug is going to stop in that way where he turns slightly and is still regarding Verso, and: ] Can you show me?
[ Magical engravings from another world. He wants to see! ]
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[ Sorry, Gorgug. ]
Some people do more and able to cast spells, however. [ Like Lune. ] But I'm afraid I've always been more of a dagger and swords person, myself.
[ But speaking of -- to ease the disappointment that he might feel, Verso pauses to look around to make sure that they're alone. They seem to be, anyway. He holds out his hand and manifests one of the weapons from the arena. ]
But those, too, can be held in the space I created.
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Right in the man's hand.
That releases Gorgug's frown, and there's a return of interest as he looks at it. Not deeply, though his staring gaze could be taken for such. (Wow, cool blade.)
But Gorgug looks at Verso, pointing at the weapon. ]
I'm gonna make something like that too. I've been looking into it. [ And there's a tone in that, a conviction--a spark of excitement that hasn't been there until now. Tinkering. ] I can make the space, but I've gotta make the trick to bring them out.
[ In a way that's functional and convenient...!!! ]
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[ Honestly, using Pictos this way isn't something that most people seem to use, since it is engraving magic into their bodies. Invisible or no. ]
I guess you could say the -- [ He lets the weapons vanish so he can hold his hand out. ] -- opening is here. [ He lightly taps the inside of his palm. ] Could you try to do something like that with what you're trying to make?
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[ Well! He pulls the sleeve back of his hoodie, and reveals a gadget attached to a metal strap, it and the screen--a type of gemstone, along with buttons on the side--visible. ]
I can make stuff like this, but if I made an opening on the hand, I would need to make a.. glove, unless I used something to connect it to someone's--head? Um. Not literally, but I guess you-- if you want to take the weapon out, you're thinking about it, and then it comes out?
[ There's some degree of mental involved. Different tactic, same idea. ]
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I don't know what I'm looking at, Gorgug. [ Verso decides to stage-whisper this to him as to not embarrass him; the way that he stutters and seems to drop in confidence makes him want his confusion come off light and breezy. ]
But I think it has something to do with how it's engraved in the body. So that the magic is part of me, and yeah, it may very well be connected to my head. [ And he lightly taps the side of his head. ]
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Yeah, so--the magic's in the engraving. And I-- I have to make something you wear or carry to do something like that. [ He puts a hand over the watch again, and then touches his goggles. See!! ]
Like this. I build things.
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[ He thinks that he gets it. ]
You build and then engrave the magic later, all right. [ A small nod. ]
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[ If that's what they're using! ]
But telling something to go into someone's hand isn't easy.
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I'm afraid I'm not much of an engineer so I'm not sure --
[ He breathes out a little sigh. ]
-- but I do like the ideas that you're coming up with.
[ A beat. ] It's for the people here, right? Those that have been brought here for missions? [ The last few words are spoken almost hesitantly since he only just got the gist of what is going on from an earpiece. ]
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This is your first mission? [ Wait. ] You're-- you didn't come from Etraya? You showed up here...
[ He got to the point of what he was asking. ]
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[ His mouth widens a little at his own little joke, his own little way he teases him. ]
Yes, it is. [ He blinks. ] Where? ... ah, yeah.
[ It's an involuntary thing to ask where first, but he does nod that he came to this place and nowhere else. ]
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[ He tries to make it sound like a positive? But it's hard to sound entirely so when one shrugs and gives a helpless look about it. ]
Oh, but I'm a tinkerer. I guess-- people say engineering more. [ He puts a hand on the goggles on top of his head. ] I made these.
[ ...they look like goggles, akin with some gem stones dotted in places near the lens, and a small cog-esque on the metal framing for the eyes. ]
I could scan you with them.
[ Normal things normal people say??? ]
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[ There is an arrested way that he says those three words. Not fully hesitant, not fully excited, somewhere in the middle. ]
I'll be sure to remember that you're a tinkerer, though. [ His eyes flick up toward the goggles. He holds his hand up to indicate that he isn't quite sure about being scanned, but does ask: ]
What would it show if you scanned me?
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[ He furrows his brows, remembering at the last moment about that. It's so long ago, that he wasn't even sure if he was being honest about what he'd said, if lying unintentionally.
Gorgug doesn't even notice anything particular about Verso's response, more caught up in his own confusion.
But with that said, he glances up at his own goggles (there is a fringe of black and white hair in the way). ]
Um, so like, I can check out your health, your weaknesses, and what you are? And if you've got any resistances going... for battle.
[ He looks back at Verso. ]
I don't know if my goggles will understand your magic? I got data from a lot of worlds, but, I had limited space...
[ Because that's the part to be concerned about, and not stuff like 'weaknesses' or 'resistances'. ]
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[ He shifts his tone; shifting away from however he feels about returning home. But he understands what condolences are, and tips his chin down.
There's a beat where he thinks he'll add more but decides against it. Instead, he moves with the conversation shifting to what is said about the goggles. His eyes widen a little at the idea of figuring out that much about him. ]
Well, I think I'm actually going to pass on that one, Gorgug. [ It may be that those specs wouldn't be able to understand his magic, but he'd rather keep things underwraps all the same. ] Not that I don't trust your invention, but a man's got to have his secrets.
[ He covers himself up. ] I feel a little exposed if you knew all that and we've only just started to become pals.
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People ask me what I am all the time.
[ Which is probably the least revealing of the data points Gorgug shared, but it's still true! ]
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[ He supposes that he doesn't know, either, but -- ]
Do you mind them asking?
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I didn't use to... but it's gotten annoying. [ If he's honest. ] It's like, I know I'm different from most people, and-- telling you isn't going to change anything. I'm still going to be green and different to you.
[ And tall. And have tusk-like teeth. And pointed ears, and... ]
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[ Gorgug is just his new tall, green friend with tusk-like teeth. ]
You're still you. [ He says what is said a different way. ] And I'm hoping that the two of us can continue to be friends. Maybe even meet in that Etraya that I don't know anything about, but is apparently not a casino.
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... ]
...do you usually make friends with people way younger than you?
[ Is this a thing, is this the type of guy he is. ]
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[ He does the usual bounce of his head. ]
-- unfortunately, yes. But there are few people older than or my age.
[ Rubbing his chin, he strikes a pose by framing his face between the index and thumb. ]
Despite the youthful face, I am over one-hundred years old. So alas, I do often befriend many much younger than myself.
[ Important to phrase it like that cause his poor good name that his actions usually ruin but maybe not this time!! ]
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I guess you're not doing bad, for over a hundred. [ Gorgug "guesses". He pretends to run a hand over his own hair, which ... is very far up, considering his goggles are up there. ] White in the hair is cool. Mine's natural, too.
[ Well, as natural as having your hair shocked white can be. But he's got to compliment it, as a fellow White Hair Haver.
....even if he's wondering in real time if he should be appreciating his own white hair when some guy over a hundred is doing the look too... ]
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It adds a certain bit of character to our look, I'd say. [ He pauses to lightly flick a strand of white out of his face, and he breathes out a little chuckle. ]
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Well, I look mysterious with it. You look, uh...
[ Staring. Squinting.
...
He gives Verso a hearty pat on the shoulder, weight in the touch. ]
Looking good!
[ He's so encouraging!! ]
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AND CALL IT A WRAP?